pflasterer



, amass 0 -111 54 Jan. 9, 1945. I PFLASTEREQ 2,366,303

RAILWAY SIGNALING Filed March 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IF My 7F M36751! 40* 3 'm/m )r L 1 zmq INVENTOR HIS ,ATTOFQNEY Patented Jan. 9, 1945 namwnv SIGNALING George B. Pflasterer, Greenville, Pa; assignor to TheUnion Switch and Signal Companmswiss vale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application. March 26, 1943, Serial No. 4801598 I 5 Claims. mam-114.)? Y 1 My invention relates to railway signaling, and

particularly to signaling for the control of trafiic movements along intersecting tracks. More specifically, my invention relates to means for providing distinctive signal indications for each of twointersecting tracks, whileoccupied by a train adjacent the intersection, if theother of the two intersecting tracks is not occupied by a train within a, given zone adjacent the intersection.

One feature of my invention is the provision of means for controlling signals for each of two intersecting tracks to display intermittent or flashing indications while their trackis occupied by a train adjacent the intersection, if the-other track is-notoccupied within a given zone adjacent the intersection, and for at other times controlling these signals to display steady. indications.

. ,I. shall describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention and shall. then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1A to 10, inclusive, are diagrammatic views showing one form of, apparatus embodying my invention, in which Fig. 1A shows two intersecting railway tracks X and Zwith four, signals for each track, two on each side oi the intersection, for govern- I ingtraific movements in opposite directions over the intersection; Fig. 1B shows circuits for con- I trolling signal control. relays: and Fig. 10 shows circuits forcontrollingtrafilc control relays and also operating circuits for thesignals. I Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views. I

In 'eachof the views, thecontacts operated by the various relaysare identified by numbers, such numbers having distinguishing prefixes from which they are, separated by a dash when "the contacts are shown'apartfrom the relay by which they are operated. The prefix for each of these contact numbers comprisesthe reference charactor for the respective "relay by whichthe associated contact is operated. Forexample, contact j 3H-3I,,shown adjacentthesymbolior relay IH, in the upper left-hand portion ofFig; 1B, is identified by the number 3| separated bya dash from the prefix 3H which is thereference character forrelayfl-Iby which this contact is operated.

Referring first to FigflA', two intersecting railway tracks; designated by the reference characters X and Z, are divided into sections by insulated joints 9. 'IiackX is divided into sections A2T, 2T, IT, IT and A4Tgand track'Z isdividd one end of each section, and a track relay designatedby a reference character which includes the letter R With-a distinguishing prefix, which is the same as the reference character for the associated track section except including the letter R instead of the letter T, is connected across the rails adjacent the opposite end of each section.

Sections A2T-and 2T will be referred to as approach track sections forsignal I. 0ther track sections, similarly located with respect to signals ,3, 5 and "I, will also beknownasapproach track sections for the corresponding signals. A relay IAR, controlled by theapproach track section relayswhich are associated with signal I, will be referred to as the approach relay for signal I.

K Relays 3AR, SAR and 'IAR are controlled similarly to relay IAR, and serve. as the approach relays Ior signals 3, 5 and 1, respectively.

Signals designated by the reference characters I and 3 are locatedadjacent the ends of section IT for governing traffic movements in opposite directions. on track iX across theintersection of the two tracks. .Signals 2. and 4 serve as distant signals for signals I and 3, respectively. Signals .25

. are located adjacent the ends of track section I designated by the reference characters Sand I 5T for governing trafiic movements in opposite directions on track Z across the intersection of the two tracks. Signals .6 and 8 serve as distant signalsforsignals 5 and I, respectively. As here 3 shown, each of the signals is of the color light type, eachof. the signals .I, 3, 5 and I having a greenlor proceed lamp G, and a red or stop lamp R, and eachof the signals 2, .4, 6 and8 having a green or proceed lamp G, a yellow or caution lamp Y, and a red or stop lamp R, but may be of any other suitable. design.

I shallrassume that trafiic movements toward the righton track.X,-asshown in the drawings,

are eastbound, and that tramc movements toward the right ontrack Z, as shown inthe draw- 3 are northbound. I

a Referring now to Fig. 1B,. circuits are here i shown for energizing signal control relays IH,

2H, 3H, 5H and 'lHior signals I, 2, 3, 5 and I,

1 respectively. Relays 4H, 5H .and BH for signals I 4, 6 and iB, rrespectively,. are controlled similarly to relay 2H,.and thecircuit for these relays are thereforewomittedfrom the drawings.

In Fig. 1G,.ac0ntrol circuits are provided for energizing trailicucontroldevices shownas traf- Hific relays; IREZF, 3F, 4F and 1F. Each of into sections AB'I', 8T, 5T, GT'and AGT. snack battery I ll is connected across the rails adj acent these relays is energized by a control circuit including aiback contact oiits own, and will theretoreibeintermittently" energized each time its back contact is closed while its control circuit is closed. Other traific'relays F, 6F and BF are nergized in multiple with relay IF, similarly to the manner in which relays 2F, 3F and 4F are shown energized in multiple with relay IF, and are therefore omitted from the drawings.

Operating circuits for signals I, 2, 3, 4 and I are shown controlled by signal control relays IH,,ZH, 3H, 4H and IH, respectively, and in-- cluding back contacts of relays IF, 2F, 3F, 4F and FF, respectively. Signals 5, 6 and 8 are similarly controlled by relays 5H, 6H and 8H, respectively, and by relays 5F, 6F and BF, respectively, and therefore the operating circuits for these signals are omitted from the drawings.

As shown in the drawings, all parts ar in the normal condition, that is, each of the track sections is unoccupied, and hence th track relays are energized; the red or stop lamp R for each of the signals I, 3, 5 and I, and the yellow or caution lamp Y for each of the signals 2, 4, 6 and 8 are lighted; relays IAR, 3AR, EAR and IAR are energized; relays 2H, 4H, SH and 8B are energizedby current of reverse polarity; and relays IH, 3H, 5H, II-I and IE to 8F inclusive, are deenergized.

With the track relays AZR and 2R energized,

approach relay IAR is energized bya circuit passing from terminal 13 of a suitable source of current, through contacts II and I2 of relays A2R and 2R, respectively, and thefwinding of relay IAR to terminal 0 of th same source of current. Relays 3AR, 5AR and IAR are energized by similar circuits controlled by correspending approach track section relays.

With relay IH deenergized, relay 2H is energized in the revers direction by current passing from terminal B, through the back point of contact I9 of relay IH, winding of relay 2H, contact 2R'I8 and the back point of contact ll of relay IH to terminal I]. Relays 4H, 6H and 8H for controlling signals 4, 6 and 8 are controlled by relays 3H, 5H and IH similarly to the manner in which relay 2H, is controlled by relay IH, and are therefore not shown in the drawings.

With relays IF and I H deenergized, red lamp R of signal I is energized by a circuit passing from terminal B, through contact 20 of relay IF, back point of contact IH-2I, and lamp R of signal I to terminal I). The red lamps R of signals 3, 5 and I are similarly lighted. With relay 2F deenergized and relay 2H energized in the reverse direction, the yellow or caution lamp Y of signal 2 is lighted by a circuit passing from terminal B, through contact 22 of relay 2F, front point of contact 2I-I23, contact 21-1-24 closed in the reverse or right-hand position, and lamp Y of signal 2 to terminal 0. The yellow lamps of signals 4, 6 and 8 are similarly lighted.

I shall assume that an eastbound train on track X enters section A2T, deenergizing relay A2R. Contact II of relay AZR will therefore open, and relay IAR will become deenergized. Relay IAR, upon becoming deenergized, completes a circuit for energizing relay IH, this circuit passing from terminal B, through contacts 5H--25, IE-26, 5R-2I, IR-28 front point of contact 3AR,29, back point of contact IAR- 30,

contact 3H3I,.and the winding of relay IH to terminal ll. With relay IH energized, red lamp R of signal I will become deenergized, and a circuit will be completed for energizing green lamp. G of signal I, passing from terminal B, through contactZIl of relay IF, front point of contact IH-2I, and lamp G of signal I to terminal 0.

deenergized, and a circuit will be completed for lighting green lamp G of signal 2, this circuit passing from terminal B, through contact 22 of relay 2F, front point of contact 2H-23, contact 2H--24 closed in the normal or left-hand position, and lamp G of signal 2 to terminal 0.

With relay IAR deenergized, a circuit is also completed for energizing relay IF, passing from terminal B, through contacts IAR32, 5AR35, TAR-36, 5R-3I, contact 38 of relay IF, and the winding of relay IF to terminal 0. Since contact 38 of relay IF is included in its own energizing circuit, relay IF, upon becoming energized and opening its contact 38, willthereby open its own energizing circuit, causing its back contact to again become closed and repeat the energizing operation.

Accordingly, also contact 20 of relay IF will alternately open and close, and willthus' cause lamp G of signal I to display a flashing 'indi cation. Relays 2F, 3F and 4F will be energized similarly to relay IF, and will therefor similarly cause lamp G of signal 2, lamp R of signal 3, and lamp Y of signal 4, respectively, to display flashing indications.

When the train enters section 2T, relay 2R 'will become deenergized, and hence contact 2R- tact 2H-23, and lamp R of signal 2 to terminal 0, causing lamp R of signal 2 to display a flashing indication.

, When the train enters section IT, contact IR28 will open the circuit for relay IH, causing lamp R of signal I to now display a flashing indication. Also, when the train enters section IT, causing relay IR to become deenergized, contact Inf-s4 will be closed in multiple with contact IAR-32 in the circuits previously described for relays IF to 4F, inclusive. When the train enters section 4T, relay 4 will become deenergized and hence its contact I3 will open the circuit for relay 3AR, causingthis relay to be deenergized; Contact 3AR-33 will then be closed in multiple with contact IH,-34 in the circuits previously described for relays IF to 4F. I I

When the train leaves section 2T, .contac 2R--I8 will again close the reverse energizing circuit for relay 2H, causing signal 2 to now dis- .IAR will thus be opened by contact I5 of relay A8R, causing relay IAR to become deenergized.

On' account of. the train on'track X having entered section A2T before the train on track Z enters section ABT, relay IH will be energized,.

and hence its contact IH-Ml inthe circuit for rasca sos relay II-I will be open, and relay 1H cannot be controlled by said trafilc circuit inresponse toa come energized even though the back point of .cOntactr'lAR-AE is closed. With relay. 'IAR deenergized, contact TAR-36 will open the circuits previously described for relays IF to IE, causing these relays to become deenergized. .With

. relay lFdeenergized, lamp G ofisignal I will now. display asteady indication. With'relay 2F deenergizedjlamp G of signal 2 will also display a steady indication. With relays3F and 4F detrain on said giventrack approaching within a given distance from said signal for controlling said signaltto display a steady indication if the energized, signals 3 and 4 .will display steady red.

and yellow indications, respectively.

With relay IAR deenergized, relay (F Will be,

deenergized because contact IAR-5l will be open,

and will remain deenergized when the train on track X enters section IT, on account of contact being open. Lamp R of signal I will therefore lamp R of signal 2 will display a steady indication on account of relay 2F being deenergized. When the train enters section IT, lamp R of signal I will also display a steady indication on account of relay IF being deenergized. When the {Hr-52 then being open, and will still remain .deenergizedwhen the train on track. X enters sectionAT, on account of contact 3AR50;then

train leaves section 2T, lamp Y of signal 2 will display a steady indication on account of relay 2F still being deenergized.

From the foregoing description and theaccompanying drawings, it follows that in apparatus embodying my invention in railway signal- I l ing for intersecting tracks, signals for each of the tracks will display a flashing green, yellowor red indication if the other track is unoccupied adjacent the intersection, but willdis-' play a steady green, yellow or red indication if the other track is occupied adjacent the intersection. l

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of railway signaling embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of m invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: i

1. In control means for railway signaling for two intersecting railway tracks, including a signal for each of said tracks for governing trains on the corresponding track approaching the intersection, the combination comprising, a trafiic control device for each of said signals, and means controlled by each of said control devices in response to a train on the corresponding track approaching the intersection for controlling the associated signal to display an intermittent indication ifithere is no train on the other of said tracks within a given zone adjacent the intersection and for controlling the associated signal ,to display a steady indication if there is a train on the other of said tracks within a given zone adjacent the intersection.

2. In control means for railway signaling for two intersecting railway tracks, including a given signal for a given one of said tracks for governing traific movements on said given track approaching the intersection, the combination comprising, atrafic circuit for said signal, and means other track is occupied by atrain within a given 1 zone adjacent theintersection and for controlling saidsignal to display an intermittent indication if the other trackis unoccupiediwithin said given zone adjacent theintersection.

3. In control means for railway signalingfor two intersecting railway tracks, including a given signal for a given. one of said tracks for governing traflio movements on said given track approaching the intersection, the combination comprising, a flasher. relay, a trailic responsive circuitclosed only if said given track is occupied within a given zone adjacent the intersection and if the other trackis unoccupied adjacent the intersectionlfor energizing said flasher relay, and means including. a contact of said flasher relay for controlling said signal. i

4. In control .meansfor railway signalingfor two intersecting railway tracks, including a given signal for a given one of said tracks for governing trailic movements on said given track approaching the, intersection, including signal control means responsive to a train on said given track approaching said given signal for controlling said given signal to display a given indiing said given indication if said flasher relay is energized. i

5. In control means for railway signaling for two intersecting railwaytracks, including a given signal for a given one of said tracks for governing traffic movements on said given track approaching the intersection, including signal control circuit means for normally controlling said signal to display a stop indication but responsive to a train approaching within a given distance from said signal for controlling said signal to display a second indication .for directing trafllc movements. toward the intersection if the other track is unoccupied within a given zone adjacent the intersection, the combination comprising, a flasher relay, a circuit controlled by a train approaching said signal for energizing said flasher relay only if said other track is unoccupied adjacent the intersection, and means controlled by said flasher relay for periodically in terrupting said signal control circuit means.

6. In control means for railway signaling for two intersecting railway tracks, including a given signal for a given one of said tracks for governing traflic movements on said given track ap-.

proaching the intersection, including signal control means fornormally controlling said signal to display a steady stop indication, the combination comprising, a control circuit closed in response to a train approaching said signal if said other track is unoccupied adjacent the intersection, and means including said control circuit for controlling said signal to display an intermittent indication for directing a train approaching withma given distance ofsaid signal to proceedover the intersection if said other track is unoccupied adjacent said intersection and for controlling said signal to display an intermittent stop indication from the time the train passes said signal until it has gone a given distance beyond said intersection if said other track is unoccupied adjacent the intersection.

'7. In control means for railwaysignaling for two intersecting railway tracks, including a given signal for a given one of said tracks for governing trafiic movements on said given track approaching the intersection, including a signal control relay which becomes energized in response to a train approaching said signal for controlling saidsignal to display a steady stop indication or a steady second indication for directing traf- .fic movements over the intersection according as said signal control relay is deenergized or is energized if a train is approaching said signal while said'other track is occupied adjacent said intersection, the combination comprising, a control device energized in response to a train approaching said signal if said other track is unoccupied adjacent said intersection, and means controlled by said control device in its energized condition for characteristically modifying the '4 aseegeos stop or said second indication displayed by said signal.

8. In control means for railway signaling for two intersecting railway tracks, including a given signal for avgiven one of said tracks for governing trafiic movements on said given track approaching the intersection, including a signal control relay which becomes energized in response to a train approaching said signal for controlling said signal to display a steady stop indication or a'steady second indication for directing tramc movements over the intersection according as said signal control relay is deenergized or is energized if a train is approaching said signal while said other track is occupied adjacent said intersection, the combination comprising, a control device energized in response to a train occupying a given zone of said given track if a given zone of said other track is unoccupied, and means controlled 'by said control device is in its energized condition for periodically interrupting the stop or said second indication displayed by said signal.

GEORGE R. PFLASTERER. 

